MASON CITY – Mayor Eric Bookmeyer was elected to bring decorum and grace to Mason City city council meetings. So far all he’s brought is a shot-clock.
Tuesday night’s council meeting went from ho-hum to soap opera as the attacks between council members escalated.
The drama unfolded as a more-or-less “normal” council meeting reached item number 22 on the agenda: a proposed $500 payment from the city to Dennis Ridder for the city’s part in damaging a shed on his property while working on a water line located on his property.
As council members debated how much Ridder should get, council member Travis Hickey patiently waited his turn to speak, and when he did, he told of an odd conversation that allegedly took place between himself and council member Max Weaver at City Hall. Hickey claims that Weaver told Hickey that “one of us is gonna get a bullet in the head” if something was not done for Mr. Ridder’s property damage claim. Hickey said Weaver then said “and it’s not gonna be me.” Hickey claims that the Mason City Police Department then got involved and that statements were taken.
Hickey said he took the possible threat “very seriously” and that Weaver made “poor decisions” when he made those statements.
Council member Janet Solberg then stated that she heard Weaver make similar comments about “a bullet in head.”
The Mayor allowed the dialogue to continue despite Weaver’s claim that the comments were out of order.
Hickey then continued the debate, saying “it gets even better.” Hickey claims that Weaver wanted a yard sign in Ridder’s yard in return for securing a reimbursement from the city.
Weaver said “it’s an election year, I see what you’re doing,” to Hickey.
Council member Jeff Marsters then asked for a “point of order” and asked for all personal attacks to stop. Mayor Bookmeyer said “I personally did not think they were really personal attacks.”
Hickey asked the Mayor to extend debate, and the request was granted after a vote.
Hickey then engaged Dennis Ridder, sitting in the audience, asking him about the yard sign. Ridder told Hickey “I had a yard sign up for you a couple years back.”
As the debate seemed to wind down, Council member Don Nelson stated “I think the lesson here is, if you call a council member, be careful what you say.”
Council member Janet Solberg then linked Ridder’s situation to the Columbine massacre, saying “this is no joke.”
It should be noted that three Mason City police officers were in attendance at the meeting as well. It was said they were there due to the Dennis Ridder agenda item.
After the meeting prior to the public forum, council members Hickey and Weaver became engaged in a confrontation. How it began was not clear, but Weaver told NorthIowaToday.com that Hickey asked him “You wanna make something of this?” Weaver claims he answered “Ya, I do.” Weaver could be heard shouting three or four times “Get this guy out of my face.” A police officer intervened and walked Hickey to the front of the room.
Weaver said later at the public forum that “it’s election year, we’re going to start cannibalizing each other.”
Hickey then took to the mic at the public forum, saying “I’m sick of it. We have staff that has issues. I’m tired of it… hopefully the citizens are tired of it” referring to Weaver.
By the way, Dennis Ridder got $1000 from the city on a 6-0 vote.
Much more on Tuesday night’s city council meeting to come, including council member Scott Tornquist’s scolding of down-on-their-luck residents who came to the city for help while being tossed from their homes.
